A hardy group from Downham Health and Leisure Centre took on endurance race Tough Mudder, battling military grade obstacles to support The Brun Bear Foundation.

The intrepid band from the centre in Moorside Road trained hard for the notorious and challenging 5K assault course, with instructor Claire Riddell motivating them in the gym and Kashmir Thethi continuing the preparation outside of it.

Edwin Lampert, founder of the charity, said: “The team spirit was amazing – not only when completing this challenge but in the months and weeks leading up to it.

“Downham is a very special community with a real warmth and togetherness.

“In the three years that The Brun Bear Foundation has been in existence the community has taken part in an assortment of crazy sporting challenges.”Together the team navigated the obstacles, which tested their strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie.

They all passed with flying colours, taking on giant pyramids, scaling walls, scrambling on all fours or swinging several metres above ground.

An amount of £1,021.25 has been raised by the team, and will be split between three campaigns that charity The Brun Bear Foundation is presently running.

Campaign one involves funding 5,000 Wellbeing Wallets - which contain essential information for mothers-to-be and have a great impact on preventing stillbirth, to mothers at University Hospital Lewisham and a further 5,000 for pregnant mothers at the Princess Royal University Hospital.

Campaign two focuses on animal welfare, and involves The Brun Bear Foundation funding the installation of CCTV at the Utyos wild animal rehabilitation centre in Russia.

It also ensures that the bear cubs have minimal contact with humans which means they are kept as wild as possible for their release back in the wild.

The third campaign involves community projects in Bromley and Lewisham.

Team Downham is always inviting new members to join them, and is now training for the triple challenge on June 9 at Downham Health and Leisure Centre.

Team member Kashmir Thethi said: “It was an amazing day, with amazing people, in aid of amazing causes.”